As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to festive gatherings and celebrations.
But let’s face it, not every event has to be marked with alcohol. The trend of enjoying alcohol-free beverages is gaining traction, especially among post-secondary students who are more health-conscious and looking for alternatives. ✅
Today, we have a special guest, Daniel La Cute, Founder and CEO of Free Bar Non-Alcoholic Drinks, with the mission of creating a community through the discovery and exploration of non-alcoholic beverages.
Daniel (Dan) is here to give us some exciting insights into the world of alcohol-free beverages that are perfect for your holiday festivities. ❄😎
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post or an affiliation with FreeBarCo. The insights provided are for informational purposes aimed at offering alternatives for our health-conscious student readers.
Q: What’s the trend for non-alcoholic beverages in Ontario and/or Canada?
A: We are seeing a significant increase in people regularly consuming non-alcoholic beer, cocktails, wine, ciders and hop waters. We have seen sales in the Non-Alcoholic category increase substantially because of more products being launched across North America, more places offering non-alcoholic options and how customers are embracing these new products.
According to the LCBO, they are seeing an increase in North America’s sales of about 20% year over year and several big brands, like Labatt, are seeing an increase of up to 25% in NA beers. People are still drinking alcohol, but based on the numbers that we are seeing, they are also mixing in non-alcoholic beverages throughout a session and reducing their overall alcohol consumption.
Q: Are there any stigmas around non-alcoholic drinking? Has it improved or been more accepting over the past couple of years?
A: There has been a change in people’s perceptions around people drinking non-alcoholic options. As many consumers have adopted Health Canada’s recommendations for reducing alcohol consumption, we have seen a big shift in people’s relationship with alcohol. As Canadians, we are drinking less than we were before the pandemic and consumers are more health conscious. Because so many people are drinking less alcohol, this has reduced the stigma, but with even better options out there from craft producers, people can enjoy the variety of products.
Q: What are your best-seller products?
A: Our best-selling category is non-alcoholic beer. Beer drinkers still love the taste, but can now find a variety of styles, finishes, and tastes when they are looking for different products out there.
Q: Why should people change to non-alcohol options? Do they taste differently or similarly to alcoholic ones?
A: People should consider trying non-alcoholic options as they taste very similar and sometimes better, than their alcoholic counterparts. There are a lot of different products out there and we recommend that you discover the ones that you like the best. If you normally drink a Moscow mule, consider a non-alcoholic Moscow Mule and see how you like it. It is also about personal preference and finding what works best for you.
Q: How easy is it to make mocktails?
A: It is the same process as creating your favourite alcoholic cocktail. There are many non-alcoholic spirits that you can add to your bar cart and try to perfect your favourite cocktail. Alternatively, we have a lot of canned cocktails, so you can just crack your favourite cocktails without any fuss.
Q: What products are popular among the 18-24 demographic? What would you recommend students try?
A: Our most popular items are our pre-selected boxes. This gives people the option to try various products so they can find the one that best suits their preferences. These products are regularly available and ship within 3 days of ordering.
Our chat with Dan not only opens a new realm of beverage choices for the holiday season but also aligns with the evolving, health-conscious preferences of today’s students. Whether you’re looking to try something new or seeking an alternative to alcohol, the world of non-alcoholic beverages offers a diverse and exciting range of options. 💪
Have a safe and happy holiday season! 🎄❄✨
Remember, this holiday season is all about choices and enjoying the festivities in the way that best suits you. 😎 If you decide to consume alcohol, click the button below for some handy #DrinkSmartTIPS.
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post or an affiliation with FreeBarCo. The insights provided are for informational purposes aimed at offering alternatives for our health-conscious student readers.
